Buying an Instrument
Be VERY CAREFUL not to pay too much for an instrument. Some stores make large profits by selling instruments at the list price, also known as retail (MSRP) price. You should not pay the retail price for any musical instrument. In general, you should shoot for a price that is at least 25% off retail. Some places will give you 40% off, which is very good, and 50% is fantastic. Local stores probably can’t go that low because they don’t work in volume, but buying local is a good thing for our city! How do you know if you are paying retail or not? ASK!
Rules of Thumb when purchasing an instrument:
- Beware of cute gimmicks. Instruments with a cute gimmick attached to them (pretty color, size differences) are usually of inferior quality. The pretty color usually starts flaking off after a few months. Those instruments also usually require a great deal of care to keep them working, but because they are so inferior, some repair shops won’t touch them.
- Beware of a new instrument for $300 or less – it’s probably inferior quality. Please don’t skimp here. It’s better to rent a decent instrument from a store than to start on something of inferior quality. Cheap Instrument = Harder to Play = Student Frustration = Quitting
- Shopping at a music store? Ask to speak with the person who knows the most about the instrument you want to buy. They don’t always have one, but it’s good to ask.
- Test instruments before buying them. Take an experienced player with you if you can!
- Repairs and returns for warranty issues are always good to ask about.
- Internet Auctions: If you see an inexpensive instrument and no one is bidding on it, take it as a hint that it should be avoided. Most instruments in online auctions sell for the fair market value. It’s hard to find good deals there anymore. If the instrument is cheaper in price, it’s cheaper in quality.
- Internet Purchases: You might not get what you think you are paying for and it may not be returnable. Make sure you are dealing with a reputable instrument dealer and not purchasing from a private party.
- Talk to as many music teachers as you can before purchasing an instrument!
Always shop over the phone. Find out what type of instrument you want to buy and then find the best price or rental deal. You may have to travel a ways. Saving hundreds of dollars is worth the trip, but here are advantages to buying local: keeping sales tax dollars in the area and in the event that something goes wrong with your new instrument, the store that will honor your warranty is nearby and you won't have to ship it or drive a long distance.
Would you buy a pair of slip-ons for your student to play soccer because they are cheaper than cleats?
Would you buy your student the cheapest bike at Toys ‘r Us for BMX racing?
Would you buy your student a whiffle ball bat for baseball/softball?
Please do not buy the cheapest instrument you can find. It’s not worth the frustration it will cause!
Instrument Brand + Model Recommendations
Check out wwbw.com to see Woodwind & Brasswind’s selection or look around for these quality brands and models Skye and Susana recommend for your student. These instruments will last them through high school and save you hundreds of dollars in repairs.
Flute
Gemeinhardt 2SP Series Jupiter 611 Series Yamaha 200 Series Open Hole Clarinet Bundy BCL-300 Jupiter JCL-710 Yamaha YCL-225 Standard Bass Clarinet Selmer 1430LP Yamaha YCL-221 Yamaha YCL-622II Low C Pro. Eb Alto Sax Bundy BAS-300 Jupiter 769GN Yamaha YAS-26 Bb Tenor Sax Bundy BTS-300 Jupiter 787GL Deluxe Yamaha YTS-480 Intermediate |
Bb Trumpet
Yamaha YTR-2330 Standard Yamaha YTR-8335RS Xeno Series Bach 180S37 Stradivarius Series Trombone Getsen 351 Series Yamaha YSL-354 Series Yamaha YSL-448G Intermediate Baritone (aka: Euphonium) Yamaha YEP-321 Series 4-valve Yamaha YEP-642II Neo Series Besson BE968 Sovereign Series BBb Tuba Yamaha YBB-105WC Series Yamaha YBB-210WC Conn 5J Series 4-Valve Percussion Vic Firth AS5B Drum Sticks (not regular 5B) Encore 401B Nylon Birch Bell/Xylo Mallets (these are mandatory in middle + high school, too) steveweissmusic.com |